“Multiple coaches are appearing at the high schools of the prospective student-athletes just as much to be seen as to actually conduct an evaluation. Many institutions are unnecessarily expending resources in order to have multiple assistant coaches attend these evaluations as a result of the perceived recruiting benefit.”

I … wha? Just as much to be seen as to evaluate? Blasphemy, sirs! Falsehood! Slander! Auburn will see you in court for this outrageous defamation of character!

That of course happens to be accurate. But still: so our coaches want to be seen rather than focus all-out on evaluation. So they have some fun with the evaluation process rather than making it all business, so the kids get a bit of a thrill when they show up, so the fanbase has a neat annual event to rally around, so the coaches get to show off their exceedingly keen sense of fashion … is this all really such an affront that it has to be stamped out of existence?

I don’t think so, but I can also admit that since it’s my school that’s being targeted by what will probably come to be known as the Auburn Rule, it’s me natural reaction to be opposed. And I’m more annoyed than outright angered by it, since, yeah, the Tiger Prowl was about recruiting first and evaluation second. I can’t help but ask, though: who’s really being hurt here?

Prowlin’ for the last time. It might be easier to list the places the final edition Tiger Prowl II didn’t hit up (in limos, after all) than the ones it did, but here we go anyway:

Awesome. An Auburn student in the Army Reserve and stationed in Kosovo has started a fund for cancer research at St Jude’s hospital in Shon Coleman’s name; ESPN’s Bruce Feldman exchanged e-mails with him and has the lowdown. He’s already raised more than $7,500 and you have to think the Feldman story will only help. Not to get treacly on you, but once again, see how horrible thing happens; see how incredible thing comes out of it.

Happy trails. Didn’t cover this yesterday in the Newton hubbub, but when Gene Chizik comes right out and says his “expectation” is that Tyrik Rollison will play football elsewhere this fall, it really is time to close the book on Rollison’s Auburn tenure. Even if Chizik’s admitting that he hasn’t met with Rollison just yet, you can already see how that meeting is going to unfold.

Here’s to hoping Rollison finds what he’s looking for at Sam Houston St. or wherever, and a reminder to Auburn fans that highly-ranked players with weird offer sheets may, in fact, not be able to shake off the off-field issues that resulted in said offer sheets.

Other team stuff. Andy Bitter takes a look at the linebackers; as with last year, it’s basically Bynes and Stevens and the Third Wheel, though this time there’s a lot more help waiting for them if Eltoro’s not getting it done. Maybe the best piece of insight at the post comes from the comments, though, where an Auburn fan points out that a Bates-like experiment has already worked for Chizik once before, when he moved Antarrious Williams from safety to LB in the mid-Aughts.

— 6-8 power forward recruit Luke Cothron will reportedly be on the Plains this weekend and Auburn could be “in line” to land his signature next week. I’ve seen whispers that Cothron might have academic troubles, but almost regardless his signing would be a huge coup for Barbee–when was the last time anyone with UConn, Tennessee, Louisville, Marquette, or Oklahoma offers gave Auburn a second glance much less a commitment?

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Comments

Ugh… Whenever some rule change is effective immediately, it always smells like there’s something fishy and political going on. But even though a newspaper in Athens was the first to report the story, it says the rule change was backed by the Big East Conference. So I guess it wasn’t any of our beloved SEC competition running to the NCAA. It’s not a big deal, but still, I just don’t see any harm in it. Once again, the NCAA makes a rule just so there can be a rule.

Be prepared to give it up on Spencer Region. The chances of this lifelong bammer honoring his “commitment” are slim and none. Here is the latest quote I heard from him:
“I do have a little interest in Alabama, but I’m still committed to Auburn and Auburn is a great place to be right now,” Region said.

Well, now we know why Chiz was so adamant that Tiger Prowl was NOT the coaches going to the school, but the fund raising in the evening. He got wind of this ahead of time and wanted to make it ‘crystal’ clear in the press before this got out so that they can continue to do it in the future. Brilliant move again Coach! Now the Prowl can continue and we just have to send multiple limos thru town with only two coaches showing up at any one time…or just send two coaches thru town. Either way, we still send a limo to the school (just less people) and the bus and fund raiser part still happens. Yep, someone got their panties in a wad over this one and went to the NCAA. I hate to say if you can’t beat them join them, but recruiting has become all about how creative you are at flexing the rules. Saban was a pioneer and while I always wish he’d get busted we all know that will never happen to bama. At least we’ve been extended the same courtesy of having a rule made for us rather than get probation.

AUstr, eh, I’ll trust our staff’s track record when it comes to keeping commitments. And I’d be surprised if Region didn’t burn his bridges over there with the style of his commitment. Do I think it’s possible he feels like maybe he acted rashly and committed too soon, but it’s still a ways from there to going back to ‘Bama. No need to hyperventilate yet.

Trackin, I think the new rule specifically forbids limos going to the school, though maybe not. Have to double-check. In any case .you’re right that the hubbub of the bus making the rounds isn’t going anywhere.

To make the obvious and oft-repeated contrast with the Tuberville era, it’s really awesome to see Auburn coaches making the kind of effort on the recruiting trail that draws the attention of the NCAA (without bringing any actual negative consequences).

Region burned too many bridges in Tuscaloosa, so even if he were to back out – and I don’t think he will- he won’t end up in West Vance.

What aggravates me about this whole thing is the the comparisons to the Saban and Meyer rule. The Meyer rule exists to keep coaches from disrupting students and families with incessant texting. Or financially destroying those with bad texting plans. The Saban rule exists to keep Saban from actually BREAKING an existing rule – ie cheating.

The Chizik rule exists to punish Auburn (and the copycats) from being creative and for working within the rules. AU came up with something fun and interesting. It cost a little money, stimulated the economy, generated a little interest – which makes it bad. Silly NCAA.